Category: Texts

When the Most-holy Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her holy parents Joachim and Anna took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem to dedicate her to the service of God according to their earlier promise. It was a three-day journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem but, traveling to do a God-pleasing work, this journey was not difficult for them. Many kinsmen of Joachim and Anna gathered in Jerusalem to take part in this event, at which the invisible angels of God were also present. Leading the procession into the Temple were virgins with lighted tapers in their hands, then the Most-holy Virgin, led on one side by her father and on the other side by her mother. The virgin was clad in vesture of royal magnificence and adornments as was befitting the “King’s daughter, the Bride of God” (Psalm 45:13-15). Following them were many kinsmen and friends, all with lighted tapers. Fifteen steps led up to the Temple. Joachim and Anna lifted the Virgin onto the first step, then she ran quickly to the top herself, where she was met by the High Priest Zacharias, who was to be the father of St. John the Forerunner. Taking her by the hand, he led her not only into the Temple, but into the “Holy of Holies,” the holiest of holy places, into which no one but the high priest ever entered, and only once each year, at that. St. Theophylact of Ohrid says that Zacharias “was outside himself and possessed by God” when he led the Virgin into the holiest place in the Temple, beyond the second curtain-otherwise, his action could not be explained. Mary’s parents then offered sacrifice to God according to the Law, received the priest’s blessing and returned home. The Most-holy Virgin remained in the Temple and dwelt there for nine full years. While her parents were alive, they visited her often, especially Righteous Anna. When God called her parents from this world, the Most-holy Virgin was left an orphan and did not wish to leave the Temple until death or to enter into marriage. As that would have been against the Law and custom of Israel, she was given to St. Joseph, her kinsman in Nazareth, after reaching the age of twelve. Under the acceptable role of one betrothed, she could live in virginity and thus fulfill her desire and formally satisfy the Law, for it was then unknown in Israel for maidens to vow virginity to the end of their lives. The Most-holy Virgin Mary was the first of such life-vowed virgins, of the thousands and thousands of virgin men and women who would follow her in the Church of Christ. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading November 21, 2013 Entrance of the Mother of God Into the Temple

This man of God and powerful wonderworker was called a second Moses. Gregory was born of pagan, but eminent and wealthy, parents. He studied Hellenic and Egyptian philosophy and became aware of the meagerness and insufficiency of pagan philosophy. He then turned to Christian teachers, particularly Origen of Alexandria, with whom he studied for several years and from whom he received baptism. Pure in body and soul, he wanted to dedicate himself solely to Christ God, for which reason he withdrew to the wilderness, where he spent much time in rigorous asceticism. His fame spread everywhere. Bishop Phaedimus of Amasea wanted to consecrate him Bishop of Neocaesarea. The clairvoyant Gregory perceived Phaedimus’s intention and hid from the bishop’s emissaries in the wilderness. Finally, Phaedimus consecrated him in a strange way, and Gregory had to accept the office of bishop. The Most-holy Theotokos and St. John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision, and St. John, at the command of the Theotokos, gave him the Symbol of Faith that is known by Gregory’s name. Who can enumerate all the miracles of this second Moses? He had power over evil spirits, and over mountains and waters, healed every pain and infirmity, could become invisible to his persecutors, and clairvoyantly perceived distant events and men’s thoughts. He ended his earthly life in the year 270, in great old age. When he arrived in Neocaesarea as bishop, he found only seventeen Christians in that pagan city. When he departed this life, he left the city Christian, with only seventeen pagans, and received the wreath of glory from his Lord in the Heavenly Kingdom. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading November 17, 2013 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Octoechos Tone 1 Our Holy Father Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea

Matthew, son of Alphaeus, was a tax collector when the Lord saw him in Capernaum and said: Follow Me. And he arose, and followed Him (Matthew 9:9). After that, Matthew prepared a reception for the Lord in his home and thus provided the occasion for the Lord to express several great truths about His coming to earth. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Matthew preached the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes and Ethiopians. In Ethiopia he appointed his follower Plato as bishop, and withdrew to prayerful solitude on a mountain, where the Lord appeared to him. Matthew baptized the wife and the son of the prince of Ethiopia, at which the prince became greatly enraged and dispatched a guard to bring Matthew to him for trial. The soldiers returned to the prince saying that they had heard Matthew’s voice, but could not see him with their eyes. The prince then sent a second guard. When this guard approached the apostle, he shone with a heavenly light so powerful that the soldiers could not look at him; filled with fear, they threw down their weapons and returned. The prince then went himself. Matthew radiated such light that the prince was instantly blinded. However, the holy apostle had a compassionate heart; he prayed to God, and the prince was given back his sight. Unfortunately, he saw only with physical eyes and not spiritual eyes. He arrested Matthew and subjected him to cruel tortures. Twice, a large fire was lighted on his chest, but the power of God preserved him alive and unharmed. Then the apostle prayed to God and gave up his spirit. The prince commanded that the martyr’s body be placed in a lead coffin and thrown into the sea. The saint appeared to Bishop Plato and told him where the coffin bearing his body could be found. The bishop retrieved the coffin with Matthew’s body from the sea. Witnessing this new miracle, the prince was baptized and received the name Matthew. After that, the prince left all the vanity of the world and became a presbyter and served the Church in a God-pleasing way. When Plato died, the Apostle Matthew appeared to the presbyter Matthew and counseled him to accept the episcopacy. He accepted the bishopric and, for many years, was a good shepherd until the Lord called him to His Immortal Kingdom. St. Matthew the Apostle wrote his Gospel in the Aramaic language. It was soon after translated into Greek and the Greek text has come down to us, while the Aramaic text has been lost. It is said of this evangelist that he never ate meat, but only vegetables and fruit. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading November 16,2013 Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Philip was born in Bethsaida beside the Sea of Galilee, as were Peter and Andrew. Instructed in Holy Scripture from his youth, Philip immediately responded to the call of the Lord Jesus and followed Him (John 1:43). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Philip zealously preached the Gospel throughout many regions in Asia and Greece. In Greece, the Jews wanted to kill him, but the Lord saved him by His mighty miracles. Thus, a Jewish high priest that rushed at Philip to beat him was suddenly blinded and turned completely black. Then there was a great earthquake, and the earth opened up and swallowed Philip’s wicked persecutor. Many other miracles were manifested, especially the healing of the sick, by which many pagans believed in Christ. In the Phrygian town of Hierapolis, St. Philip found himself in common evangelical work with his sister Mariamna, St. John the Theologian, and the Apostle Bartholomew. In this town there was a dangerous snake that the pagans diligently fed and worshiped as a god. God’s apostle killed the snake through prayer as though with a spear, but he also incurred the wrath of the unenlightened people. The wicked pagans seized Philip and crucified him upside-down on a tree, and then crucified Bartholomew as well. At that, the earth opened up and swallowed the judge and many other pagans with him. In great fear, the people rushed to rescue the crucified apostles, but only Bartholomew was still alive; Philip had already breathed his last. Bartholomew ordained Stachys as bishop for those whom he and Philip had baptized. Stachys had been blind for forty years, and Bartholomew and Philip had healed and baptized him. The relics of St. Philip were later translated to Rome. This wonderful apostle suffered in the year 86 in the time of Emperor Dometian. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading November 14, 2013 Holy and All-Praiseworthy Apostle Philip

John was born in Antioch in the year 354. His father, Secundus, was an imperial commander and his mother’s name was Anthusa. Studying Greek philosophy, John became disgusted with Hellenic paganism and adopted the Christian Faith as the one and all-embracing truth. Meletius, Patriarch of Antioch, baptized John, and his parents also subsequently received baptism. Following his parents’ repose, John was tonsured a monk and lived a strict life of asceticism. He then wrote a book, On the Priesthood, after which the Holy Apostles John and Peter appeared to him, and prophesied that he would have a life of great service, great grace and great suffering. When he was to be ordained a priest, an angel of God appeared simultaneously to John and to Patriarch Flavian (Meletius’s successor). While the patriarch was ordaining John, a shining white dove was seen hovering over John’s head. Glorified for his wisdom, asceticism and power of words, John was chosen as Patriarch of Constantinople at the behest of Emperor Arcadius. As patriarch, he governed the Church for six years with unequalled zeal and wisdom. He sent missionaries to the pagan Celts and Scythians and eradicated simony in the Church, deposing many bishops guilty of this vice. He extended the charitable works of the Church and wrote a special order of the Divine Liturgy. He shamed the heretics, denounced Empress Eudoxia, interpreted Holy Scripture with his golden mind and tongue, and bequeathed the Church many precious books of his homilies. The people glorified him, the envious loathed him, and the Empress, on two occasions, sent him into exile. John spent three years in exile, and reposed as an exile on the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, September 14, 407, in the town of Comana in Georgia. Before his repose, the Holy Apostles John and Peter appeared to him again, as did the Holy Martyr Basiliscus (May 22) in whose church he received Communion for the last time. His last words were, “Glory be to God for all things,” and with that, the soul of the golden-mouthed patriarch was taken into Paradise. Chrysostom’s head reposes in the Church of the Dormition in Moscow, and his body reposes in the Vatican in Rome. (Prologue of Ohrid)  Continue reading November 13, 2013 Our Holy Father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 1

8. O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.
Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,
and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies
with the Lord who rejoices for you.
From Him you have received victory for your labours,
an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.
O great martyr Josaphat,
now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

7. O Josaphat, you are worthy of glory.
Your sacred vestment was stained with your martyr’s blood,
and now you have entered into the Holy of Holies
with the Lord who rejoices for you.
From Him you have received victory for your labours,
an eternal crown, everlasting beauty, and the life of Paradise.
O great martyr Josaphat,
now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

6. O all-precious orator,
you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.
Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.
Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,
as a true and great martyr.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

5. O all-precious orator,
you first offered yourself as an unbloody sacrifice to God.
Like the unblemished fruit, your holy work was an acceptable sacrifice.
Then you brought yourself to Christ, by means of your blood,
as a true and great martyr.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

4. You destroyed the vanity of the dissenters
by your sanctifying words.
You also strengthened the faith of the weakened hearts.
You have entered into the eternal life,
having suffered for the cause of unity.
You were a witness to the Lord, O great martyr Josaphat.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

3. Your sacred vestments were stained crimson by your blood, O holy one.
So you received from Christ a two-fold crown, O generous father.
You also rejoice with the angels in heaven
as you stand in the presence of the Blessed Trinity.
Now also pray that God may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

2. O great martyr Josaphat,
in chastity you yearned for an honourable life.
You worshiped Christ the Almighty,
and you led the people into union with Him
by your precious words and by his grace.
You washed yourself with the blood of martyrdom, O blessed one of God.
You have entered into eternity.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

1. In thought you ascended into the unsetting cloud of the ineffable Light.
You, a great martyr and shepherd,
knew the ineffable mysteries of Christ.
As a martyr you were enlightened,
and as a shepherd you were mystically taught.
Because of that, you also received two crowns from the glory on high.
Now also pray that He may grant unity and peace to our Churches
and great mercy to our souls.

In Tone 6, Glory…

O great martyr Josaphat,
you were a true priest until the time of your death.
As a priest you were a minister of the ineffable mysteries of Christ.
You poured out your blood as did Christ our God,
presenting yourself as an acceptable sacrifice.
Because of that, you are confident in his presence.
Pray for the faith of those who observe and venerate your all-holy memory,
so that your flock and the whole world
may be delivered from all dangers, invasions, enemies, and sieges.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Proverbs 3:13-16; 8:35, 4-6, 8, 9; Wisdom 4:7, 16-20; 5:1-7; Wisdom 5:15-6:3

 

Litiya

In Tone 1

Come, let us all celebrate in spirit with heavenly priestly words
the memory of the great martyr Josaphat.
Because he cleared the thorns of division
and with abundant virtue through the fruit of the sanctuary,
he planted the teachings of salvation for our souls.

As a priest you acted according to the divine gospel.
You sealed the divine teachings with your blood
at the hands of the flock in disunity, O great martyr Josaphat.
You dried up the river of demons, and you went up into heaven
as a conqueror receiving the crown of victory.

O great martyr Josaphat,
the Eastern Church possessed you and your priestly works.
Now you protect her in an unshakeable manner from hostile wolves
as she preaches about your courage and extols you, O blessed one.

In Tone 5, Glory…

The Church celebrates your light-bearing feast,
and she rejoices, O great martyr Josaphat.
She faithfully venerates you.
As a shepherd do not cease to bless her.
Pray for the salvation of all.

Now…

O most pure Virgin,
you are the temple, the gate, the palace, and the throne of the king.
Christ, our Redeemer and Lord,
appeared through you to those who slumbered in darkness.
For He, as the Sun of Righteousness,
wished to enlighten those whom He created with his own hands
according to his own image.
Therefore, O Lady, whom we always praise In song,
we beseech you to intercede with Christ for the salvation of our souls,
for as his mother you can approach Him with the greatest confidence.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 4

Like a very bright sun
you shone upon the firmament of the Church.
By the splendour of your words, by your God-inspired teaching,
and by your life equal to that of an angel,
you enlightened the souls that were darkened by the wickedness of the enemy.
You led back onto the way of truth those who had strayed.
Because of that, we rejoice today
and observe your light-bearing and holy memory.

Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy.

O great martyr Josaphat,
you were equal in honour to the apostles.
You received an understanding like theirs.
You did not fear the cruelty of malicious torturers,
but manfully and courageously you preached the unity of the faith.
You suffered many varied wounds and torments.
And now you have received a great reward for your long-suffering
from the Source and Judge of victory, Christ our God.
Implore Him for all who in faith venerate your holy memory.

Precious in the eyes of the Lord Is the death of his faithful.

O great martyr Josaphat,
offering up precious service and a spotless sacrifice to the Master, Christ our God,
you offered yourself as a perfect holocaust to Him.
You courageously suffered out of love for Him by spilling your blood.
As a true shepherd and follower of Christ,
you did not cease to cry out:
O Father, protect everyone in your name.
All-blessed Josaphat, now pray that the Churches and all people be reunited
and that we may be saved.

Glory…

Your good deeds are radiant like the sun upon heaven and earth,
O conciliator of Christ, all-blessed great martyr Josaphat.
You rightly preached to us the true and spotless faith of Christ.
For this, as a good shepherd, you also laid down your life,
following the wellspring of shepherds, Christ our God.
O all-blessed sanctifier, O God-bearer,
Implore that all may be saved
who lovingly celebrate the precious memory of your sufferings.

Now…

O most pure Virgin, hear the petitions of your servants.
Remove the burdens which oppress us
and deliver us from our sorrows;
for you are the only firm and constant support on whom we rely.
O Mother of God, never permit us who call upon you
to be overwhelmed by our cares.
Hasten to fulfil the supplications of all who, in faith, cry out to you:
Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all mankind,
the joy, the refuge, and the salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 4
You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.* Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,** to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls. (twice)

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* the Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women* and blessed is the fruit of your womb,** for you have given birth to Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: You appeared as a radiant light,* O priest-martyr Josaphat.* Like the Good Shepherd, you lay down your life for your sheep;* killed by enemies who loved division, you entered the holy of holies to dwell with the bodiless powers.*Therefore we pray you, long-suffering saint:* beg Christ, the Prince of Shepherds,* to number us among the sheep at His right hand and to save our souls.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4: Enlightened in childhood* by the flame from the crucified Christ,* you resembled the angels in your life as a monk,* and as bishop you lived in godliness.* You clearly preached unity and with your martyr’s blood, you calmed hearts inflamed by love for dispute.* From Christ you received the crown.* And so remember us as we cry to you:* Rejoice, O unshakeable pillar of unity.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His venerable ones.
verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me? (Psalm 115:15,12)

Epistle
Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Alleluia, Tone 2
verse: Your priests shall clothe themselves with justice, and Your venerable ones shall rejoice.
verse: For the Lord has chosen Sion; He has chosen it for His dwelling. (Psalm 131:9,13)

Gospel
John 10:9-16

Communion Hymn
The just man shall be in everlasting remembrance;* of evil hearsay he shall have no fear*. Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 111:6)

They were all among the Seventy. The latter three are also commemorated elsewhere: Herodion on April 8, Sosipater on April 28, and Tertius on October 30. Saints Olympas and Herodion were followers of the Apostle Peter and when Peter suffered, they also suffered. By the command of Nero, they were beheaded. Erastus had been the steward of the church in Jerusalem, and later became Bishop of Paneas in Palestine. Quartus was Bishop of Beirut. He suffered greatly, but converted many to the Christian Faith. Sosipater was a bishop in Iconium and Tertius was the second bishop in that city. They waged spiritual warfare and, as victors, received heavenly wreaths of glory. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 8

10. O Christ, during this spiritual service,
we sing to You these evening prayers,
commemorating the mercy You have shown us
by Your resurrection.

9. O Lord, O Lord, do not cast us away from Your face;
but in Your kindness have mercy on us
through Your resurrection.

8. Rejoice, O holy Zion,
the Mother of Churches and the dwelling-place of God;
for you were the first to receive the forgiveness of sins
through the resurrection.

7. Christ the Word was begotten by God the Father before all ages;
yet in these latter times,
He freely willed to take flesh from the Virgin who did not know man.
By His death on the cross and His resurrection,
He saved mankind from the ancient curse of death.

6. O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection;
for by rising from the dead
You freed the race of Adam from the sufferings of Hades,
and as God You granted eternal life
and great mercy to the world.

5. Glory to You, O Christ our Saviour,
the only-begotten Son of God;
for You were nailed to the cross,
and then arose from the dead on the third day.

4. We glorify You, O Lord;
for of Your own free will You suffered crucifixion for our salvation.
Almighty Saviour, we worship You.
We implore You not to cast us away from Your face;
but hear our prayer and save us by Your resurrection,
for You truly love mankind.

In Tone 1

3. Holy preachers, who travelled the whole world in splendour
like winged eagles,
you led those pursued by the devil
to the incorruptible Faith!
Pray that our souls may be given peace and great mercy!

2. Let us honour Tertius and Sosipater with holy voices,
with Olympus and Rodion
and together with them Erastus, the initiate of the mysteries,
and the godly Quartus:
They glorify Christ our God,
beseeching Him to grant our souls peace and great mercy!

1. Blessed ones, you have led to Christ God the gentiles,
delivered by the blood of Him Who was well pleased to be born on earth
and Who willingly endured the Cross and death!
Most wise ones, now entreat Him
that He may grant our souls peace and great mercy!

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

Out of his love for mankind
the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt with men,
for He assumed a human body from the pure Virgin
and was seen in the flesh He received from her.
He is the One and only God having two natures but not two persons.
Wherefore we profess and declare the truth
that Christ our God is perfect God and perfect Man.
O Mother, who knew not carnal union,
intercede with Him that He may have mercy on our souls.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 8

O Jesus, You descended from heaven
so that You might ascend the cross.
O immortal Life, You came to die.
You are the true light to those who live in darkness,
and You are the resurrection of the fallen.
Therefore, O Saviour of all, we glorify You.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. * Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Let us glorify Christ, the Saviour of our Souls
Who arose from the dead.
For He took upon himself a soul and a body,
and during His passion He separated the one from the other.
His pure soul went down to conquer Hades,
while His holy body lay uncorrupted in the grave.

For He has made the world firm. * which shall not be moved.

O Christ, we glorify Your resurrection with psalms and hymns.
For by Your victory over death
You delivered us from the sufferings of Hades,
and as God You granted us eternal life and great mercy.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, * for length of days.

O Lord of all, Creator of heaven and earth,
You are above all understanding.
Through Your passion on the cross
You freed us from the sufferings of Hades.
And, after condescending to be buried, You arose in glory;
and with Your mighty arm You also raised up Adam.
O most merciful Lord, we glorify You;
for by Your resurrection on the third day
You granted us remission of sins and eternal life.

Glory… Now…

O Virgin, You have never known wedlock,
Yet You conceived God in the flesh
in a manner which words can never describe.
You thus became the Mother of God on high.
O Immaculate Lady, receive the supplication of your servants
and grant us the cleansing of our sins.
Accept now our prayers and beseech God to save all of us.

 

Troparia

In Tone 8
You came down from on high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

In Tone 3, Glory…
Holy apostles, intercede with the merciful God* to grant to our souls forgiveness of sins.

Now…
We sing your praises, O Virgin;* for, as the Mother of God, you always intercede for the salvation of the human race.* It is from you that our God and Your Son took flesh. * Then, by suffering the passion on the Cross,* and out of love for mankind, He delivered us from corruption.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 8: You came down from oh high, O Merciful One,* and accepted three days of burial* to free us from our sufferings.* O Lord, our life and our resurrection,* glory be to You.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 8: When You rose from the tomb,* You also raised the dead and resurrected Adam.* Eve exults in Your resurrection,* and the ends of the world celebrate Your rising from the dead,* O most merciful One.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 8: To you, O Mother of God,* the invincible leader,* we, your servants, ascribe these victory hymns* in thanksgiving for our deliverance from evil.* With your invincible power free us from all dangers* that we may cry out to you:* “Hail, O bride, and pure Virgin!”

Prokeimenon, Tone 8
Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.
verse: In Judea God is known; His name is great in Israel. (Psalm 76:12,2)

Epistle
Ephesians 4:1-6

Alleluia, Tone 8
verse: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord; let us acclaim God our Saviour.
verse: Let us come before His countenance with praise and acclaim Him with psalms. (Psalm 95:1,2)

Gospel
Luke 10:25-37

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

 

The angels of God were celebrated by men from earliest times but this celebration was often turned into the divinization of angels (II Kings 23:5). The heretics wove all sorts of fables concerning the angels. Some of them looked upon angels as gods; others, although they did not consider them gods, called them the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council of Laodicea (four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council) rejected the worship of angels as gods and established the proper veneration of angels in its Thirty-fifth Canon. In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. St. Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (who was taken up into the third heaven), described these nine orders of angels in his book, On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, many-eyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: “Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!” and all of the faithful angelic heavenly hosts cried out: “Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!” Concerning the Archangel Michael, see Joshua 5:13-15 and Jude 1:9. Among the angels there reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. We must always remember that whatever we do, in open or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thoughts of every man will be revealed before all. May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers. Amen. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 4

8. O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself
to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:
Holy are You, O Father.
Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.
Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.
You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;
You are the one Divinity and Power.

7. O Archangel Michael, you manifested yourself
to be the greatest defender of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Together with the Powers on high, you joyfully call out:
Holy are You, O Father.
Holy are You, O Co-eternal Word.
Holy are You, O Holy Spirit.
You are the one glory, the one kingdom, and one nature;
You are the one Divinity and Power.

6. O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,
and your godliness is awesome.
By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,
fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.
You also make your Church a fountain of healings.
You are venerated because of your holy calling.

5. O Archangel Michael, you are like a flaming fire,
and your godliness is awesome.
By your bodiless nature you cross the ends of the earth,
fulfilling the commands of the Creator of all.
You also make your Church a fountain of healings.
You are venerated because of your holy calling.

4. You made the winds Your messenger
and flaming fire Your servant, just as it is written.
Among the ranks of Your archangels, O Lord,
You have shown Michael the Archangel to be the leader.
He is obedient to Your commands, O Word.
With fear he sings the thrice-holy hymn to Your glory.

3. By divine grace, O Gabriel,
the eternal intelligence created you to be a second light.
You were to illumine the whole world
that you might reveal a divine and truly great mystery
which had been hidden from eternity:
that God Who is bodiless was made flesh in a virgin womb
and became man to save mankind.

2. O Gabriel, you stand before the throne of the thrice-holy Source of Light.
Glistening with celestial splendour.
We on earth joyfully dance and sing your praises.
O leader of the heavenly hosts,
O intercessor for our souls,
deliver us from the darkness of our passion
by illuminating us with your light.

1. O Gabriel, leader of the heavenly hosts
and intercessor for our souls,
crush the boldness of those who attack your flock.
Put an end to schisms within the Church.
Calm the storm of numberless temptations.
Deliver from trial and tribulation
those who lovingly venerate you
and hasten to protect us with the shadow of your wings.

In Tone 6, Glory…

Rejoice with us, all you leaders of the angels;
for the great Archangel, your captain and our guardian,
appears today in his holy church.
He wondrously watches over us and truly sanctifies this place.
Therefore, singing his praises daily,
let us cry out to him:
Keep us safe by the protection of your wings,
O great Archangel Michael.

Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

 

Prokimenon
of the day

 

Readings
Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:7, 11-24; Isaiah 14:6-20

 

Litiya

In Tone 1

The leaders of the heavenly hosts
stand unceasingly before the throne of the Master.
They pray to the Lord to grant peace to the world
and great mercy to our souls.

As the leader of the Powers on high,
Michael has summoned us today for the feast.
He is always by our side
and preserves us today from every attack of the devil.
Come, therefore, O lovers of the feasts and lovers of Christ,
let us carry the flowers of virtue;
and with a pure mind and a clear conscience,
let us venerate the feast of the Archangel.
For he stands unceasingly before God, singing the thrice-holy hymn,
interceding for our souls to be saved.

In Tone 2

O bodiless Powers, you intercede for us.
O Leaders of the heavenly hosts,
by the brightness of your thrice-radiant glory
you give light to the whole world;
with unceasing voices you sing the thrice-holy hymn.
Pray, therefore, that our souls may be saved.

O intelligent, celestial, and bodiless Powers,
you surround the heavenly throne
and with flaming lips sing the thrice-holy hymn to God the ruler:
O holy God, O eternal Father;
O holy, mighty, and co-eternal Son;
O holy and immortal Spirit having the same nature,
and glorified together with the Father and the Son.

With immaterial lips and spiritual mouths,
the angelic ranks offer hymns to Your unapproachable divinity, O Lord.
Both the pure spirits and ministers of Your glory,
together with the incorporeal Michael and Gabriel, praise You, O Lord.
The leaders of the heavenly powers,
and the chiefs of the angels welcome us today.
They invite us to sing to Your unapproachable glory.
O Lover of Mankind,
they pray unceasingly for our souls.

In Tone 4, Glory…

With flaming lips, the Cherubim extol You, O Christ God;
and with immaterial mouths, the choirs of Archangels
loudly extols Your glory.
Michael, the captain of the heavenly powers,
unceasingly offers a song of victory to Your glory.
He has prepared us today for this feast,
so that even with lips of clay,
we may worthily sing aloud the thrice-holy hymn
as it is in the psalms.
All creation is filled with the praise of You, O Christ.
For this reason You give great mercy to the world.

Now…

Today the Theotokos, the Temple that is to contain God,
is being escorted into the Temple of the Lord,
and Zechariah receives her.
Today the Holy of Holies greatly rejoices,
and the choir of angels mystically celebrates this feast.
Let us also celebrate with them today
and cry out with Gabriel:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you,
and He grants us great mercy.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 1

While solemnly celebrating on earth,
let us sing as the angels to God
Who is seated on the throne of glory:
Holy are You, O heavenly Father;
holy are You, O co-eternal Word;
holy are You, O all-holy Spirit.

You made the winds your messengers and flaming fire your ministers.

O eyewitness of ineffable things,
because of your great courage
you are the leader of the heavenly beings.
You gloriously stand before the awesome throne, O Michael.
By your prayers, save those who are suffering
because of trials and tribulations.

Praise the Lord, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts.

You are the chief of the bodiless angels
and a minister of the Divine Splendour.
You are an eyewitness and a mystic, O Michael.
Save us who devoutly honour you each year
and who faithfully extol the Trinity.

In Tone 8, Glory… Now…

O Archangel, since you are a soldier
and leader of the heavenly hosts
and the captain of the angels, O glorious one,
deliver from every care and worry,
from illnesses and bitter sins,
those who faithfully extol and beseech you.
You see the Lord Who is Spirit;
you are illumined by the unapproachable light of the Master’s glory.
For He, out of love for all people,
became incarnate of the Virgin for our sake.
By this, He wished to save mankind.

 

Troparia

In Tone 4
Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us through your prayers* under the shelter of the wings of your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry: * “Deliver us from dangers,** O princes of the powers on high!” (twice)

In Tone 1
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace,* the Lord is with you.* Blessed are you among women* and blessed is the fruit of your womb,** for you have given birth to Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of our souls.

 

DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 4: Princes of the heavenly hosts,* we, though unworthy, beg you* to encircle us thorugh your prayers* under the shelter of the wings your spiritual glory.* Guard us as we come to you and sincerely cry:* Deliver us from dangers,* O princes of the powers on high!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 2: Princes of God’s hosts, ministers of divine glory,* leaders of angels and guides of men,* pray for our welfare and for great mercy,* O princes of the incorporeal powers.

Prokeimenon, Tone 4
He makes spirits His angels and flaming fire His ministers.
verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, you are very great (Psalm 103:4,1)

Epistle
Hebrews 2:2-10

Alleluia, Tone 5
verse: Praise the Lord, all you His angels; praise Him, all you powers.
verse: For He spoke, and they came into being; He commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2,5)

Gospel
Luke 10:16-21

Communion Hymn
He makes spirits His angels,* and flaming fire His ministers.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 103:4)

The eighty-year-old Acepsimas, filled with every Christian virtue, was sitting one day in his home with guests. Just then a child, filled with the Spirit of God, ran up to the aged bishop, kissed him on the head and said: “Blessed is this head, for it will receive suffering for Christ.” This prophecy was soon fulfilled. King Sapor raised a bitter persecution of Christians throughout Persia, and St. Acepsimas was apprehended. He was brought before a prince who was also a pagan priest. As the bishop was arrested and bound, a member of his household asked him what should be done with his home if he were martyred. The saint replied: “It is no longer my home. I am going to a home on high and will not return.” After prolonged interrogation he was thrown into prison. The following day Joseph, a seventy-year-old presbyter, and Aithalas, a deacon, were also imprisoned. After three years of imprisonment and many tortures, Acepsimas was beheaded. Joseph and Aithalas were buried up to their waists in the ground, and the soulless pagans forced Christians to stone them. That night, by God’s providence, Joseph’s body disappeared, and a myrtle tree grew over Aithalas’s body that healed every kind of disease and pain of men. This tree stood for five years before the wicked and envious pagans cut it down. These soldiers of Christ suffered in Persia in the fourth century, during the time of the pagan King Sapor. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

 

In Tone 7

10. Come, let us rejoice in the Lord,
Who destroyed the power of death
and enlightened the human race;
and let us cry out with the angels:
Glory to You, our Creator and Saviour!

9. O Saviour, for our sake You suffered crucifixion and burial;
and, as God, You destroyed death by Your death.
Therefore, we adore Your resurrection on the third day
and we sing: Glory to You, O Lord!

8. On seeing the resurrection of the Creator,
the Apostles were amazed,
and they sang an angelic hymn of praise:
This is the glory of the Church,
this is the richness of the Kingdom!
O Lord, Who suffered for our sake, glory to You!

7. O Christ, although You were taken captive by Your enemies,
I still acknowledge You as my God,
and am not ashamed of You;
I will not hide the fact that You were nailed to the Cross.
Your death is my life, almighty Lord,
and I extol Your resurrection.
O Lover of mankind, glory to You!

6. In fulfilment of the prophecy of David,
Christ revealed His majesty to His disciples in Sion.
He showed Himself to be worthy of equal praise
with His Father and the Holy Spirit;
for He existed from all eternity as God the Word, without a body;
then, out of love for mankind, He became incarnate,
and for our sake He was put to death as a man;
finally, by His own power He arose from the dead.

5. O Christ, of Your own free will, You descended into Hades;
and, as God the Lord, You destroyed death.
On the third day You arose from the dead and raised up Adam
from the bonds of Hades and corruption.
In joy he cried out and said:
Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

4. O Lord, You were placed in the tomb as one sleeping,
and on the third day You arose in might and power.
You raised up Adam from the corruption of death,
for You alone are almighty.

In Tone 8

3. Most glorious wonder!
The handsome Acepsimus who ministered to the martyrs
today is crowned with a wreath of hymns.
He puts before us the suffering he endured for his worship of God
and wounds the bodiless enemy!
What great gifts of grace he received!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are great in love and mercy!

2. Most glorious wonder!
Joseph shines forth as a star from Persia!
He destroyed the outrage of sorcery through the Spirit;
he extinguished the impious worship of fire with the streams of his blood!
How great is the strength by which he cast down the demons!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are compassionate!

1. Most glorious wonder!
The steadfast Aithalas, a champion of suffering,
is revealed as an ever-blossoming garden.
Cut down, it brings forth the flower of wounds;
slain, it then begins to live!
What great strength of nature through which he endured!
Through his prayers, save our souls, O Christ,
since You are compassionate!

In Tone 7, Glory… Now…

Immaculate Mother of God,
you became a mother outside the laws of nature,
remaining a virgin in a way that exceeds all description
and human understanding.
The wonder of your birth-giving could not be told in human language,
for your conception of Christ blinded intelligence,
and your birth-giving exceeded understanding:
for whenever God so desires, the laws of nature are broken.
Wherefore, we all firmly believe that you are the Mother of God,
and we eagerly beseech you to intercede for the salvation of our souls.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 7

O Saviour of the world, You arose from the grave,
and together with Your own flesh You raised up mankind.
O Lord, glory to You!

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Come, let us worship Christ Who arose from the dead
and enlightened all creation.
For by His resurrection on the third day,
He set us free from the oppression of Hades,
granting us life and His great mercy.

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

O Christ, Lover of mankind,
You descended into Hades and destroyed death.
Then You arose on the third day;
and, together with Yourself You lifted up all of us
who glorify Your mighty resurrection.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Lord, what a fearful sight it was to see You lying in the tomb as if asleep.
Yet on the third day You arose in great power,
and at the same time You raised up Adam who joyfully cried out:
Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind!

In Tone 6, Glory…

The three children preserved unharmed by the Persian fire
mystically foreshadowed your thrice-radiant unity of mind
and your martyrdom in Christ!
Athletes of the ineffable Trinity and supernatural Unity,
as they stood in the midst of the flames and did not cry out against God,
so also you did not refuse to die
when your lives were not spared by the love of Christ.
As in their midst, a fourth appeared who sprinkled them with dew,
so also Christ, one of the Trinity,
received you into a place of refreshment!
Acepsimus, Joseph and Aithalas, chosen by God,
ever pray for our souls!

Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 7
By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

In Tone 1, Glory…
Be swayed by the pains that the saints have suffered for You, O Lord,* and heal all our pains,* O Lover of mankind, for this we pray.

Now…

O Holy Tabernacle, when Gabriel called out to you:* Rejoice, O Virgin, full of grace,* the Lord of All became incarnate of you,* as the righteous David had foretold.* In bearing your Creator, you have shown yourself to surpass the vastness of the heavens.* We, therefore, cry out: Glory to Him Who dwelt in you!* Glory to Him Who came forth from you!* Glory to Him Who has set us free* through your life-giving birth!

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 7: By Your cross You destroyed death;* You opened Paradise to the thief;* You changed the lamentation of the myrrh-bearers to joy,* and charged the apostles to proclaim* that You are risen, O Christ our God,* offering great mercy to the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 7: No longer shall the dominion of death be able to hold humanity,* for Christ went down shattering and destroying it s powers.* Hades is bound.* The prophets exult with one voice.* The Saviour has come for those with faith, saying:* “Come forth, O faithful, to the resurrection!”

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 7: O all-praised treasury of our resurrection, we hope in you,* bring us up from the pit and depth of sin,* for you have saved those subject to sin* by giving birth to our Salvation,* O Virgin before childbirth, and Virgin in childbirth,* and still a Virgin after childbirth.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7
The Lord will give strength to His people;* the Lord will bless His people with peace.
verse: Bring to the Lord, O you sons of God; bring to the Lord young rams. (Psalm 28:11,1)

Epistle
Ephesians 2:14-22

Alleluia, Tone 7
verse: It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Your name, O Most High.
verse: To announce Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth every night. (Psalm 91:2,3)

Gospel
Luke 8:41-56

Communion Hymn
Praise  the  Lord  from  the  heavens;* praise  Him  in  the  highest.*  Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)

In the time of the suffering of St. Demetrius the Myrrh-gusher, there was a young man of Thessalonica, Nestor, who learned the Christian Faith from St. Demetrius himself. At that time Christ’s enemy, Emperor Maximian, organized various games and amusements for the people. The emperor’s favorite in these games was a Vandal by the name of Lyaeus, a man of Goliath-like size and strength. As the emperor’s gladiator, Lyaeus challenged men every day to single combat and slew them. Thus, the bloodthirsty Lyaeus amused the bloodthirsty, idolatrous Maximian. The emperor built a special stage for Lyaeus’s battles, similar to a threshing floor on pillars. Spears, points upward, were planted beneath this platform. When Lyaeus defeated someone in wrestling, he would throw him from the platform onto the forest of spears. The emperor and his pagan subjects cheered as some poor wretch writhed in torment on the spears until he died. Among Lyaeus’s innocent victims were many Christians: when no one volunteered to duel with Lyaeus, by the emperor’s orders Christians were arrested and forced to duel with him. Seeing this horrifying amusement of the pagan world, Nestor’s heart was torn with pain, and he decided to come forward for a duel with the gigantic Lyaeus. But first, he went to prison to see St. Demetrius and sought a blessing from him to do this. St. Demetrius blessed him, signed him with the sign of the Cross on the forehead and on the chest and prophesied to him: “You will defeat Lyaeus, but you will suffer for Christ.” Thus, young Nestor went to duel with Lyaeus. Maximian was present with a multitude of people; everyone felt pity for the young Nestor, who would surely die, and tried to dissuade him from dueling with Lyaeus. Nestor crossed himself and said: “O God of Demetrius, help me!” and with God’s help, he overcame Lyaeus, knocked him down, and threw him onto the sharp spears, where the heavy giant soon found death. Then all the people cried out: “Great is the God of Demetrius!” But the emperor, shamed before the people and sorrowing for his favorite Lyaeus, was greatly angered at Nestor and Demetrius, and commanded that Nestor be beheaded and Demetrius run through with lances. Thus, the Christian hero Nestor ended his earthly life and took up his habitation in the Kingdom of his Lord in the year 306. (Prologue of Ohrid) 

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GREAT VESPERS

Kathisma Reading
“Blessed is the man…” is sung.

 

At Psalm 140

In Tone 6

10. O Christ, You won the victory over Hades,
You ascended the Cross so that You might raise up with Yourself
all those who dwelt in the darkness of death.
Almighty Saviour, You are free from death
and bestow life by Your divine light.
We, therefore, beseech You to have mercy on us.

9. Today Christ has conquered Death.
He has risen from the grave as He foretold,
bestowing great joy upon the world.
Therefore, let us all lift up our voices and sing:
O Fount of Life, O Light Whom no one can approach,
Almighty Saviour, have mercy on us.

8. O Lord, where can we sinners flee from You,
for You are present in all creation?
You are present in heaven, for it is Your dwelling place.
Your power prevails in Hades where You conquered Death.
O Master, Your sustaining hand touches even the depths of the sea.
Where, then, can we take refuge except in You?
We, therefore, prostrate ourselves before You and pray:
O Lord, risen from the dead, have mercy on us.

7. We exult in Your Cross, O Christ,
and we sing the glory of Your Resurrection.
For You are our God, and we have no other Lord but You.

6. Glory to Your might, O Lord,
for You have conquered the power of death.
You have renewed us through Your Cross,
granting us life and incorruption.

5. We forever bless the Lord and praise His resurrection,
for by suffering crucifixion,
He has destroyed death by His death.

4. By Your death and burial, O Lord,
You broke asunder the bonds of Hades;
and by Your resurrection from the dead,
You enlightened the whole world.
We, therefore, exclaim: Glory to You, O Lord!

In Tone 8

3. Glorious sufferer Nestor,
you girded yourself in all the armour of Christ!
Locked in mortal combat, you destroyed Lyaeus.
With invisible arrows you brought down and killed the invisible enemy!
Therefore the bountiful One has crowned you with a wreath of victory!

2. Strengthened with divine words, wise Nestor,
with true courage you killed the proud tormentor of the martyr Demetrius.
Confessing the immortal God
Who died and harrowed hell,
you received an unjust death, glorious one.
Therefore, rejoicing, you have inherited everlasting life!

1. You were a godly youth, radiant in physical beauty and power.
therefore you threw down the might of Lyaeus by the power of the Almighty!
You suffered, rejoicing,
and have been numbered with the choirs of those who struggled.
As you rejoice with them, ever remember us!

In Tone 6, Glory… Now…

Who would not call you blessed, O Virgin most holy?
Who would not sing a hymn of praise
to the glory of your giving birth without pain or travail?
The Only-begotten Son Himself,
begotten of the Father before all ages,
was made flesh out of you in a manner
that cannot be explained, O Woman most pure!
And for our sake, He Who is God by nature
assumed the nature of a man.
He is not divided into two persons;
He is understood to have two natures
without commixion or confusion.
O noble and blessed Woman,
intercede with Him that He may mercy on our souls.

 

Aposticha

In Tone 6

O Christ our Saviour,
the angels in heaven sing the praises of Your Resurrection;
make us on earth also worthy
to extol You with a pure heart.

The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty. Robed is the Lord, and girt about with strength.

Almighty God, You destroyed the brazen gates and bars of Hades,
and raised up fallen mankind.
Therefore, with one accord, we cry out:
O Lord, risen from the dead, glory to You!

For He has made the world firm, which shall not be moved.

Christ willed to renew us from our corruption of old
by being nailed to a cross and placed in a tomb.
When the women came to anoint His body they tearfully cried out:
O, what sorrow afflicts us!
O Saviour of All, how could You consent to occupy a grave?
If you truly willed this, then why did You allow Your body to be stolen?
How were You removed?
What place now conceals Your life-bearing body?
O Lord, appear to us as You promised
and put an end to out tears.
As they were lamenting, an angel appeared and cried out to them:
Do not weep, but tell the Apostles that the Lord is risen,
granting sanctification and great mercy to the world.

Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, for length of days.

O Christ, You were crucified of Your free will,
and by Your burial You imprisoned Death.
As God, You rose in glory on the third day,
granting life and great mercy to the world.

Glory… Now…

Christ the Lord, our Creator and Redeemer,
came forth from your womb, O most pure Virgin.
He clothed Himself in our human flesh
to set us free from the original curse of Adam.
Therefore, O Mary, we praise you, without ceasing,
as the true Virgin Mother of God,
and we sing with the angels:
Rejoice, O Lady, advocate, protector, and salvation of our souls.

 

Troparia

In Tone 6

Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory to You!

In Tone 4, Glory…
Your martyr, Nestor, O Lord,* by his passion acquired the crown of incorruptibility from You, our God.* For possessing Your power he overcame the torturers* and shattered the feeble insolence of demons.* By his supplications, save our souls.

Now…
O Mother of God, the mystery hidden from all eternity* and unknown even to the angels,* was revealed through you to those on earth:* God took on our human nature* and united it to His divine nature in a perfect but unconfused union.* Then, He willingly accepted the cross for our sake* and thereby raised again the first created man,*and saved our souls from death.

 

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DIVINE LITURGY

Troparia and Kontakia
Troparion, Tone 6: Angelic powers were upon Your tomb* and the guards became like dead men;* Mary stood before Your tomb* seeking Your most pure body.* You captured Hades without being overcome by it.* You met the Virgin and granted life.* O Lord, risen from the dead,* glory be to You!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 6: With His life-giving hand* Christ our God, the Giver of life,* raised all the dead from the murky abyss* and bestowed resurrection upon humanity.* He is for all the Saviour,* the resurrection and the life, and the God of all.

Now and for ever and ever. Amen.

Theotokion, Tone 6: Undaunted patroness of Christians,* O steadfast intermediary with the Creator,* turn not away from the suppliant voices of sinners,* but in your kindness come to help us who cry out to you in faith.* Be quick to intercede, make haste to plead,* for you are ever the patroness of those who honour you, O Mother of God.

Prokeimenon, Tone 6
Save Your people, O Lord, * and bless Your inheritance.
verse: Unto You I will cry, O Lord, my God, lest You turn from me in silence. (Psalm 27:9,1)

Epistle
Ephesians 2:4-10

Alleluia, Tone 6
verse: He who lives in the aid of the Most High, shall dwell under the protection of the God of heaven.
verse: He says to the Lord: You are my protector and my refuge, my God, in Whom I hope. (Psalm 90:1,2)

Gospel
Luke 8:26-39

Communion Hymn
Praise the Lord from the heavens;* praise Him in the highest.* Alleluia, alleluia,* alleluia. (Psalm 148:1)